Method and apparatus for treating and handling vegetative products



NOV- 12, 1929. c. H. PLUMMER METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING AND HANDLING VEGETATIVE PRODUCTS Filed OCC. 9, 1924 METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING AND HANDLING VEGETATIVE PRODUCTS- Nov. 12, 1929. v c. H. PLUMMER 1,735,089

Patented Nov. 12, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CLARENCE H. PLUMMER, OF KEWAUNEE, WISCONSIN METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TREATING AND HANDLING VEGETATIVE 11 I'l-ODUC'J.S

Applicationiled October 9, 1924.- Seral No. 742,641.

This invention relates to a method and ap- .pa'ratus for separating -fresh grown peas, beans andsimilar vegetative products by taking advantage of the difference in specific gravity incident to natural growth, as Well as other conditions both natural and applied.

When peas, beans and similar products .are grown for commercial canning and preserving purpose, land and Weather conditions areencountered that are more or less beyond the growers control. Vitality of seeds; depth of planting; methods of cultivation and harvesting are also more or less l5 of a question under conditions of large production, all of which bring about` varying times of maturity or'ripening to a condit-ion suitable for canning, so that, while some of the product will have reached just the de-y sired stage of development, other of the product in the same field will have advanced beyond the desired stage of development and perhaps some have not yet reached a suitable stage for canningpurposes.

Referring particularly to peas. These are required to be young and tender and of uniform size and quality for the fancy grades of pack, which is the quality in greatest demand and brings the highest prices. Even a few mature peas distributed through a can of so called fancy goods will bring the grading to a lower level both as to quality and price. y

` It is the canners desire, therefore, to in- ;5 crease as much as possible, his pack of fancy goods, but in order to do this he must be provided with some means of effectivcly separating the fancy peas from the other commercial grades in a commercial way.

Many attempts have been made to separate the more mature peas from the young and tender grade by utilizing the difference in specific gravity naturally existing between 5 the various grades, by floating lhem in bulk into and through a suitable aqueous medium, depending on the heaviest and m We mature peas to sink into the liquid and the lighter` fancy peas to float at or near the surface. ln order, however, `to collect the various .increased their specific gravity and grades as separated it has been necessary to either skim the fancy peas out of the separating medium by hand or remove them b means of moving conveyors located at di ferent levels in the separating medium. Either method has proven to be unsatisfactory in practice, for, no matter how carefully the hand skimmer may manipulate his ladle, or how uniformly may be the move' ment of the conveyors,eddy currents are sure to be generated that act, more or less to disturb the separation that may have been effected, so that a partial redistribution and intermingling of the different grades takes place during this manner of removal from the solution.

To obviate this difficulty tanks of considerable depth have been used, in an effort to locate the different grades at levels that would be farther apart when separated, so that the agitation of the aqueous medium would be more or less localized about each moving conveyor and not be transmitted to the other localities. factorily either. The eddy currents were still generated and caused the sensitively This plan did not Work out satis` es nu poised peas to follow the currents and escape the conveyors and to finally intermingle with the peas floating at other levels in the solution.

It was also found that the density of the solution increased uite markedly at the lower depths, and were a simple saline solution was used, the density increased to a point where the peas that escaped from the upper conveyors and settled, became so salt laden as to render them unpalatable, and thus was injected into the process a very-uncertain and undesirable condition of canning that was entirely beyond the control of the canner. A few salt saturated peas in a can might easily condemn the entire pack. -Furthermore, the peas that escaped the upper conveyors and became salt laden naturally radually dropped to the lower levels and mingled with the peas of a different grade, so thatl this method was also proven to be impractical for a strictly high grade pack. Further difficulties have also been experienced when handling such varieties as the sweet peas that show little or no difference of specific y gravity in the ordinary separating solutions, due mainly to growth conditions. rlhus, I `where it was desired to separate the young I and tender peas for the fancy pack from the more mature peas of a lower grade the specific gravity method was found inedective, and as a result it has heretofore been very difficult to get a commercial separation of this variety. The best that the canner could do in this case was to separate his product for size only through the medium of the regular screen method.

In localities where the Canada thistle is prevalent the thistle buds cause much annoyance and expense. rlhe thistles, growing promiscuously throughout the field are harvested with the peas, and in the threshing ggprocess the buds become detached from the plants and mix with the peas and have usually to be removed by hand separation.

Attempts have been made to float the thistle buds out of the peas by the use of a salt solution but it was found that a solution of sumcient density to ioat all of the thistle buds would also float many of the peas, while if the solution was weak enough not to float the peas, then a considerable number of the thistle buds would sink with the peas. At the present time it is the practice to submerge the product in plain water in which the peas sink while the greater part of the thistle buds iioat and are skimmed off while those that sink with ,the peas are nally removed by hand.

ln experiments connected with this art applicant has discovered several heretoforeunknown circumstances.

Where the variety of fsweet pea is grown l as has been referred to and the difculties of separation encountered through the little, or no differencey in specific gravity between young and the more mature peas of the sameA screened size, applicant has found that if the peas are subjected to heat while in the separating medium, the occluded gases, due to natural growth and development, in the youngand tender peas are expanded somewhat, thus rendering them slightly more 5e buoyant, while the more mature peas having more perfectly developed starch grains, contain less ofthe occluded gases and are less aected by the heat application, so that quite a material difference 'in specific gravity is temporarily created in the mass of peas in solution, resulting in a very perfect separation of the fancy from the lower grades,

and this separation is accomplished through the medium of a low density solution and in some instances plain water will suffice to effect the separation.'

Applicant has also found that the thistle buds that pass through the screen are of less specific gravity than the peas passing through the same screen, so that by immersing buds means@ and peas of the same screened size ina solution of greater specific gravity than the buds and of less specific gravity than the peas the buds will allfloat and the peas will all sink, thus effecting a perfect separation `without entailing any hand labor.

It is of course understood that usually in the practice of any of my methods or the use of the apparatus, all kinds and varieties of peas handled are preferably first passed through the regular grading screens and thus graded for size and that each size is then separately subjected to the gravitational method of separation, but the preliminary sizing operation is omitted when working on what is termed in the trade as ungraded peas.

To overcome the various difficulties enumerated and place in the hands of the canner.

a method and apparatus that will give him completo control over the sorting and scparating for tenderness of his product, appli-` cant has devised the method and apparatus forming the subject matter of this invention.

rlhe method embodied in the invention contemplates subjecting measured quantities of a vegetative product to the action of a separating medium in such a manner that each measured quantity of product is passed successively through a medium of proper density .and at the same time is confined to a comparatively restricted area of unagitated solution whereby the action of gravity may cause a separation of the product into diderent grades, free from the influence of eddy or otherv currents; to enclose and confine the separated productV in individual compartmentcd receptacleswhile in the separating medium so that each separated product may be separately discharged at different points and separately conveyed to other sources of disposal. rEhe apparatus embodied in the invention comprises an yendless conveyor mounted to pass through a suitable receptacle containing a solution of proper density for the purpose; multi-compartmented conveyor buckets carried by said conveyor and being adapted to receive a measured quantity of the product to be separated and to successivelyy subject said product to gravitational action in the separating solution for a sufficient time to effect a separation of the different grades of product; gates or valves positioned in operative relation to said conveyor buckets and having movement relative thereto for dividing said buckets into separated compartments and thus confining ithe separated product to the separate compartments, with means for manipulating said gates or valves to close and open said compartments, and means vfor inverting said buckets at predetermined intervals for the discharge of the graded product into separate hoppers for conveyance to other points of disposal, as well as means applied to each bucket to prevent v lEG currents in the separating Huid withinv the buckets to thus prevent a disturbance of the gravity separation.

It is therefore a principal obj ect of this invention to provide a gravitational method of separation for vegetative products into the commercially designated grades, whereby a xmore complete and perfect separation is ob: tained than heretofore.

A further object of the invention resides in providing a. gravitational method of separating vegetative products whereby foreign growths are automatically separated and removed from the desired product and thereby eliminate the hand labor at present necessary for a great part of this work.

A further object of the invention resides in providing a gravitational method of separating vegetative products into the commercially designated grades bytemporarily producing a gravitational'difference in the product, where no such natural condition exists, while said product is immersed in a separating medium, whereby said temporary gravitational difference will effect a yseparation and segregation of the different grades of product in a manner that will permit of their removal from the separating medium as separate portions.

It is a further object of the invention to provide an apparatus that will automatically measure successive quantities of vegetative product; deposit said measured portions'into movable containers; move said containers into and through a separat-ing medium where gravitational action will bring about a vertical separation of the product according to its difference in specific gravity which will cause the product to float in different levels throughout the separating medium while immersed in and passing therethrough; having automatic manipulative means for confining" said separated product in individual cornpartments during removal from said medium; having means in the bottoms of the separat- -ing buckets for admitting separating solution and means for closing the bottoms of said buckets against circulation of solution in and through said buckets during the time the product is passing through' the separating medium to thereby prevent the generation of eddy or other currents through the solution thus confined to each bucket, and to discharge the product from the separate compartments into hoppers or chutes for conveyance to other points of disposal.

It is also an object otv this invention to produce a completely equipped, automatically operative apparatus having means for application of power; coordinatingassociated instrumentalities Afor carrying out the steps of the process involved in the gravitational separation of vegetative products as described; operative'mechanism that is simple and inexpensively constructed and maintained and that will operate continuously during the rush periods of canning. In fact, a very important object of the invention resides in producing andplacing in the hands of the canner, an apparatus that will be wholly dependable in operation, so that no infiux of canning product will accumulate in the Cannery and spoil for lack of proper and suiicient facilities to handle it continuously as fast as it arrives.

Vith such objects in `View as well as other advantages inherent in the invention, the novel structural peculiarities, novel organization of elements, and the separate and collective operations involved in carrying out the recited objects of my invention, which will be made the subject matter of claims hereto appended', I wish it to be understood that the several necessary elements and combinations constituting the same may be varied in their constructional proportions, placement, general arrangement and ope ative relation without departing from the scope and nature of my invention. j

In carrying out the objects of my invention in a concrete form or machine, further objects, advantages and improvements have been evolved than have been recited, `and in order to make the invention more `clearly understood there are shown in the accompanying drawings, means and mechanism embodying a structural arrangement and the preferred disposition of the different parts and combinations, in which I have simply illustrated one way of embodying the creative part or conception of the invention in a concrete form or machine, and in so doing I do not wish to limit the claims to the exact details Iof con. struction shown.

The described devices are simply embodiments of the invention which other structures might also employ and some of the parts and combinations of parts may be used without the others in different types of such machines without departure from the purview of my invention and I regardv myself as entitled to such variations from the shown and described devices as fall within the scope and meaning of the claims hereto appended.

Reference now being had to the accompanying drawings a clearer and better understanding of the general arrangement and operation of the machine will be had, wherein:

Fig. l represents a side elevation of the entire machine with portions broken away to better show thc'operation and placement of the various parts and combinations. his View clearly illustrates the manner of filling the buckets; passing them into the separating solution; enclosing the bottoms of the `buckets to eliminate eddy currents therein;

discharging the liquid from the buckets a iter separation; tipping the buckets to discharge the separated product and the manner of heat` ing the separating solution for separating certain varieties of product.

Fig. 2 is a-vertical sectional elevation taken on approximately the irregular line 2-2 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction of the arrows, but showing only some of the parts' lying beyond the plane ot section to avoid confusion and permit a clearer delineation. rIhis view shows the means for creating separate compartments in the individual buckets after separation has taken place to thereby confine and segregate the separated product 'so that each may be separately discharged from the buckets into diiterent chutes or hoppers for further disposal. i

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional detail ot one of the buckets showing a separation ot'. the product into two distinct zones andthe means employed for enclosing each separated prod uct in a separate compartment.

It is to be understood that the drawings 2o accompanying this application are more or less diagrammatic in character; are not necr essarily drawn to scale, neither do they necessarily represent the best or the preferred engineering practices in connection with the construction of machines of this type or nature, also the proportions and relation of some parts' may be more or less exaggerated in size or shape to better illustrate the application of the invention to an operative machine.

A general arrangement of a machine embodying this invention comprises a solution tank 1, on which is mounted the entire mechanism and framework of the machine. Adjacent either end of the tank 1 are located bearing blocks 2 and 3 carrying the cross shafts 4 and 5 on which are mounted the large sprockets 6 and 7 which in turn carry the endless chain conveyor 8,A there are in fact tour sprockets and two chains, but l will refer to them in pairs, the rear two being designated by the numeral 6 and thel front pair by the numeral 7. The two chains are connected to move in unison and carry the will be designated by the numeral 8 and treated as a single conveyor.

At uniformly spaced intervals along the conveyor 8 are mounted square sectional cross members 9 extending toward the ccnter of the machine, the inner ends of the' members 9 having heads 10 which form the ends of the buckets 11, the sides of the buckets being-formed of a piece of bent sheet iron or galvanized steel having perforations 12 in v the bottom' or bent-portions, see Fig. 3. Each bucket 11 is provided with a hinged auxiliary bottom 13, hinged to the bucket at 1 1a and having a stop lip 11b resting against the side of the bucket when in its open position as shown 'in some places 'in Fig. l, which tends to limit its movement and prevent it from `swinging too treely.

Each of the square sectional members 9 '65 have slidably mounted thereon cam blocks buckets and operating. mechanism andA they f maracas inactive until each bucket reaches the top ot the machine and starts its travel therealong when the teeth of the gears 17 engage with teeth on the racks 18 when the buckets are ,9 carries an interrupted gear 17 which are 4 turned in the manner as shown in Fig. 1 and i which will be more fully described.

Arranged in the bottom ot the tank 1 is a track member 19 so positioned that as each bucket 11 approaches, the auxiliary bottom 13 is closed tightly against the perforated bottom of each bucket, the track19 is so shaped at the leaving end to permit each of the auxiliary bottoms to swing away from the bottom of the buckets before they leave the tank, the purpose of this action will be explained further on.

Also arranged in the bottom of the tank 1 is a steam or hot water pipe 20 by means of which the separating solution is warmed to any degree desired. At 21 is indicated a means for draining the tank of its solution, a suitable valve being Ilocated in the drain pipe, not shown.

22 and 23 indicate discharge chutes for receiving the separated peas from the buckets as they are discharged, from which they are conveyed to suitable receptacles or to another conveyor to be carried to some source ot disposal, neither of these are shown.

A free running pulley 24 takes power from any suitable source and through the medium of the pinion 25 and gear 26 drives the entire mechanism of the machine, the clutch 27 erving to start and stop the machine at wil An automatic feed device is provided at 28 which delivers a measured quantity of material to each bucket as it passes but since this device is the subject matter of a copending application filed by Mr. John Schmidt, of Hoopeston, Illinois, Serial No. 729,566 nothing. need be said of its operation in connection with this invention.

The operation of this invention as embodied in the machine illustrated by the accompanying drawings will now be described. rlhis description will particularly reiter to its operation when handling peas of the different varieties. The operation may or may not differ when handling other vegetative products, and the operation may differ from this description in handling peas where farming and tactoryconditions vary.vl Y

The hopper of the feed device 28 being filled with peas and the machine started, peas will be successively delivered in measured so that the full charge of peas drops into the bottoms of the buckets. The buckets are pivoted above their centers so that they always hang bottom down. From the receiving station until they reach the track member 19 the auxiliary bucket bottoms 13 hang in anl open position as indicated at the right of Fig. 1. The conveyor 8 moving continuously carries the buckets successively into and through 'the solution tank 1. The solution tank may for the purpose of this description be charged with a saline solution and we may for convenience consider that we are separating the ordinary type of commercial peas. As soon as the buckets enter the solution it begins to percolate through the perforations 12 in the bottoms of the buckets and lills the buckets up to the tank level which may be to the line 3-3 of Fig. 3. The separating solution entering through the perforations in the bottoms of the buckets agitates the body of dormant peas lying therein and causes them to float therein. 2lBy the time the buckets are full of solution they will have reached the track member 19 when the auxiliaryfbottoms V13 will be tightly closed so that no more solution will enter through the perforat-ions, that is there will be no circulation of liquid therethrough. The bottoms 13 are not necessarily liquid tight but they must be tight enough to stop circulation between the liquid in the buckets and that in the tank. As soon as agitation of the liquid in the closed buckets ceases, which will be practically immediately the bottoms 13 are closed, the floating Ipeas will gradually begin to locate in upper or lower levels according to their state of*k maturity, and by the time the buckets will have reached the cams 15 the peas will have assumed positions as indicated in Fig. 3. lThe lighterones floating at the top and the heavier ones havin g settled to the bottom. The separation now having taken place it becomes necessary to establish an impassable barrier between the two groups. This I accomplish by means of the blades 16 entering the ends of the buckets through movementof the cam blocks v 14. As the buckets approach the cams 15 the rollers on the camvblocks 14 are lengaged by the cams and the blades 16 are moved into the buckets until their' inner ends meet thus forming a metal division wall between the two' groups of separated peas and dividing each bucket temporarily into two. compartments.

The blades H as the bottoms of the buckets to facilitate the flow of solution. As soon as the blades 16 have divided vthe buckets into the two separate compartments the buckets may beremoved from the solution and the auxiliary 16 may be perforatedthe same i bottom released from contact with the member 19 to permit the solution to flow from the buckets back into the tank. The heavy eas will now rest on the bottoms of the buc ets while the lighter ones will rest on the blades 16. As the buckets travel around with the conveyor the interrupted gears 17 will engage the first of the racks 18 which will tilt lthe blades'l will be Withdrawn from the buckets and permit the peas from the lower compartment to discharge into the chute or hopper 23. As the buckets continue to move forward the interrupted gears 17 will in turn engage the second of the racks 18 when the buckets will be turned into their normal positions, the start lof which is` indicated at C. The sequence of operations as just described will be repeated ad infinitum.

Separation of the Variety known as sweet peas will be substantially as described for the regular grades of commercial peas except that on account of the very slight difference in Specific gravity between the tender and the more mature peas of this variety, of the same graded size, it becomes necessary to establish, temporarily, a greater degree of specific gravity between the two grades so' grains are not rendered as buoyant by thewarm solution as are the younger peas. The

warming of the solution brings about a sepa.

ration in substantially the same manner as when treating the regular types and varieties.

The separation of thistle buds from graded peas is accomplished by adjusting the separating solution so that its' ravity test is just between the gravity of the uds 'and the peas. This will permitl all of the peas to sink into the solution but will cause all of the thistle buds to lioat, .their separation is then accomlished in the same manner as with the reguar peas.

The separating blades 16 as I have termed them in the description may also be desig.

drawings may not be suicient for some c\o -7 all ef E

ditions, this however, is only a matter of engineering and may be constructed of such length as may be necessary to give sucient time for eective separation. Throughout the specication and claims the words unagitated, and quiescent, have been used synonymously as indicating a condition of the separatin solution during the period of separation org the ditierent grades or peas while immersed therein and while moving therethrough. l do not mean to indicate thereby that there is no motion whatever in the body ot solution in contact with the charges ot peas being separa-ted, .el little agitation or movementy in the solution occasioned by moving the containers therethrough will not materially interfere with proper separation, but wholly uncontrolled agitation or movement might adect the sepa: ratione For example it the compartmented members carrying the individual charges ci peas were moved slowly through the solution there might not be suilicient movement imparted to the solution in contact withthe peas to interfere with proper separation. So that wherever these words are used it is understood that they mean, suciently unagitated, or suciently quiescent to permit oiz proper separation taking place under normal operation. Since the compartments charged with the peas move through and in contact with the solution and the solution runs into the compartments with the peas when Erst immersed there is at that instant considerable agitation, but immediately the compartments are lled to the proper level with solution the agitation ceases and a substantially quiescent condition prevails thereafter.

lrlaving thus described my invention what l claim as new and desire to secure by Letters `Patent is z Il. The method ot segr'egating diilerent grades et peas consisting ot immersing a quantity oi mixed grades in a quiescent solution in which a separation taires place due to the difference in specic gravity whereby the lighter peas will noat and theheavier ones sink, then while the peas are still immersed automatically introducing a septum between the separated groups to maintain the separation while removinA them from the solution.

2 i method or segregating differing grades of peas into separate groups, consisting in placing a mass quantity of mixed grades into a quiescent solution wherein a separation taires place iforming separate groups due to the diiilerence in specific gravity of the differing grades, then automatically introducing a septum between the separated groups to maintain the separation and then removing the groups simultaneously from the-solutiona ff 4 A method of segregating the dierent grades et peas trom a mass of mixed grades consisting in immersing a quantity or mixed avancee grades in a quiescent solution, protecting them from the interference of agitation 'whereby the lighter peas will lioat at levels above the heavier peas, then automatically introducing a separatingy medium between the segregated groups to maintain the separation while removing them from the solution.,

d. A method of segregating the di'erent grades of peas from a mass of mixed sizes consisting in successively immersing measured groups of mixed grades of peas ina quiescent aqueous medium, protecting each measured group from the influence of agitation whereby the dierent grades of peas in that group will assume different levels in said` solution, then automatically and successively introducing a separatingmedium between the diderent grades in each group to maintain the separation and then successively removinc each separated group from the solution.

5. fr method o segregating the diderent grades oit peas from a mass oi' mixed grades consisting in placing measured quantities oimixed grades or peas into separate containers, successively immersing said containers into separating medium, charging each container lith medium, closing each container against further ingress of medium to protect the contained peas from the influence oi" agitated medium, allowing each contained mass' oi peas to separate through notation to diderent levels, then automatically introducing sep'- tums between the separated groups in each container, openingeach container to permit outiiow' of mediumand removing the ccntainers from said ,medium and discharging said segregating groups or" peas at dilerent points.,

t3. A method of segregating the diierent grades or peas from a mass of mixed grades consisting in subjecting a quantity oi' mixed grades to the influence or a quiescent solution, heating said peas while in said solutionto temporarily create a greater diiiierence in buoyancy than naturally exists in the. mass and grades whereby those of greater Vbuoyancy will oat at levels above those of less buoyancy, then automatically introducing a septum between the upper and lower groups nand then removing the segregated groups rrom the solution. x

'LA method ot segregating the different grades or peas trom a mass of mixed grades that show little or no difference in buoyancy consisting in subjecting a quantity of mixed vgrades ci:n peas to heat to temporarily create a greater difference in buoyancy while within the influence of a quiescent medium in which the more buoyant will ioat at different levels than those less buoyant, then automatically introducing a dividing wall between the separated groups and then removing them iremthe solution.

8. A method of segregating the differing `gravity of the different grades of peas, automatically isolating the separated groups in said chamber so that each may be independently handled and then removing the groups and chamber from the separating solution.

9. The method of treating peas for canning consisting ,of gra-ding the peas foijsize, sub-y jecting separate quantities of a given size and mixed grades. to a quiescent separating medium, confining each separate quantity to a portion of unagitatedmedi'um in a compartment whereby the more buoyant will oat at diiierent levels than the less buoyant, then automatically isolating the groups occupying different levels in said compartment lso that each may be handled independently of thel different grades others and then removing groups and compartment from the solution.

10. The method of treating peas for canning consisting of grading the peas for size,

subjecting separate quantities of a given size to a quiescent separating medium, confining each separate quantity to a portion of uiiagitated medium in a compartment whereby the of pe'as 'will group in separated locations within said compartment, thenautomatically isolating. each group so that each may be handled independently of the others and then removing the isolated groups and compartment from the separating medium. y g V 11. The method of separating thistle buds from peas consisting in subjecting a mixed quantity of thistle buds and peas lto a quiescent separating' solution the specific Gravity of which is greater than the thistle uds but less than the peas whereby the peas will sink in the solution while the thistle buds will float near the surface, then automatically introducing a division wall between the separated groups and'then removing the separated groups from the solution. l

12. The method of separating thistle buds from peas where both are of the same graded sizes consisting in placing mixed quantities of ment so that eachmay i sizes by taking a g peas and thistle buds in a compartment and subjecting them to a quiescent separating medium the specific gravity ofwhich is less than the peas but greater than the thistle buds whereby the peas and thistle buds lwill group in se arated locations, then automatically isolating the groups within the said compartbe handled independently and then removing the groups from the solution. i r c t p'aratus for segregating the 'differing gra es of` eas-from a mass'of mixed dlvanta e of the difference in ierent grades comspecic gravity of the I'separated the separated `pI`1Slng an (in tering grades grades by taking advantage of the difference p `prising means for containing a quantity of mixed grades of peas, a container holding a quiescent separating medium, means for moving the peas through said medium in a man?. ner to prevent agitation of said medium while the peas are assuming separate locations and then providing means for segregating the groups comprising a septum that is` caused to enter between the separated groups as they. are moved through the sepa- `rating medium with means for then separatelly discharging the separated groups.

killin apparatus for separating the ditlering grades ot peas Jfrom a mass of mixed sizes ,by taking advantage of the diierenee in speciic gravity of the ldiderent grades comprisinga compartment for holding a quantity of mixedy grades "of peas, a container for holding a quiescent separating medium, means for iinmersing' said compartment in saidA medium so thattlie peas contained therein will be separated into groups raccording, to their gravity, then while 'said separated groups are moving, :introducing a septum between said groups to isolate them, with means for then handling each group separately. v

15. An apparatus for-segregating the differing grades of peasffrom a mass of mixed sizes by taking advantage of the diiference in specific gravity of the diierent grades coni'- prising a series o f compartments for receiving measured quantities of peas, means for successively moving said compartments through a predetermined path, a container for holding a separating medium through which said pea compartments are movedto permit the mass of mixed grades to' form separate groups, automatic means for introducing division walls between the separated groups of peas within sizes by taking advantage of the diierence in specific gravity of thediiicrent grades comdless conveyor, a series of pivoted containers on said conveyor, ,meansl for measuring a mixed quantity of peas for each pivoted container, a solution tank containing a separating medium and through which each pea container moves to successively immerse the peas therein, wherebythe peas of differing grades will assume different levels while immersed, means for then entering each container 'while immersedin said medium for isolating each group so that each may be handled separately when removed from said medium.

' 17. -An apparatus for segregating the difof peas from a mass of mixed in specific gravity ofthe dilierent grades com prising a series of moving containers for receiving measured quantities of mixed grades of peas, means for moving said containers into a separating medium whereby the peas of ditfering grades will assume separate locations, then automatically isolating the groups of separated peas by means of introducing a septum between the groups that will permit ot handling each separated group independently and then removing and discharging each group.-

18. An apparatus for segregating the differing grades ot peas from a mass o mixed grades by taking advantage ot' the ditierence in specific gravity of the different grades comprising an endless conveyor carrying a series of pivoted containers each of which is adapted to receive a measured quantity of mixed grades of peas, a solution tank in which said conveyor moves to successively immerse the 'said containers,means for admitting solution from said tank to said containers whereby the peas of different grades in each container will assume separated locations, then automatically entering a division wall between the separated groups while they are moving through said medium to ypermit discharging each group separatelv.

19. An apparatus for segregating the diifering grades ot peas :tromk a mass of mixed grades by takingl advantage of the difierence in speciic gravity ot the ditlerent grades comprising a tank carrying a supply ot separating medium, an endless conveyor mounted to move into and through the medium in said tank, containers carried by said conveyor each adapted to receive and carry a measured quantity of mixed grades ot peas, means for charging each ot said containers with a measured quantity ot mixed grades o't peas, means in said containers tor admitting separating medium into said containers with said peas whereby the peas fot ditferent grades will assume different locations in said containers, means entering said containers to isolate each group of separated peas whereby each group may be independently handled and separately discharged rom Said containers. v c

20. An apparatus for scgregating the differing grades ot peas from a mass of-mixed grades ot peas by taking advantage of the diilerence in the specific gravity of the different grades comprising a tank carrying a supply of separating solution, an e ndless conveyor mounted to move into and out or said solution, containers mounted on and carried by said conveyor and each adapted to receive a measured quantity of mixed grades of peas, means for admitting solution into said containers from said tank whereby the peas immersed in said solution will assume different locations according to their diering speciic gravity, means 'for isolating each separated group in each container, said means being carried by said conveyor and operable :Matrose through the movement of said conveyor' whereby said isolated groups of peas may be independently discharged from said containers. f

2l. An apparatus for segregating the differing grades of peas from a mixed mass of different grades by taking advantage orn the diiierence in specific gravity of the di'erent lgrades when immersed in a suitable solution,

A cording to their difference ot specii'ic gravity,

means ror isolating each separated group and then independently discharging each group from said containers.

22. in apparatus or segregating the ditering grades ot' peas trom a mass ot mixed grades by taking advantage ot the ditierence ot specific gravity when sadrpeas are immersed in a suitable solution comprising a tank containing a supply o1e solution, an endless conveyor mounted to move into and out ot said solution, containers mounted on and carried by said conveyor, means for placing a measured charge or" mixed peas to each container, means for admitting solution to each container with the peas therein whereby the said peas will assume diiierent locations according to their dinerenee ot specific gravity, means movable with and entering into each container to isolate each group of sepa-y rated peas thereinso that each group may be independently discharged from said containers.

23. in apparatus for segregating the di-- r'ering grades ot'peas from a mass or" mined grades by taking Aadvantage ofthe diiierence in specii'ic gravity ot the different grades when immersed in a suitable separating solution, comprising a tank tor containing a supply ot solution, a conveyor mounted to move into and out ot said solution, said conveyor carrying in spaced relation a series of containers mounted to rotate in relation te said conveyor, means tor placing a quantity ot mixed peas in said containers, means 'for admitting separating solution into said containers with said peas `whereby said peas are separated according to their difference in specific gravity, means for isolating said separated peas so that they may loe disclfiargedfrom said containers in separate groups.

24. An apparatusorseparatingthediiifering grades ot peas from a mass of mixed grades by taking/advantage oi" the diierence in speciiic gravity et the ditlering grades, comprising a tank for holding a supply of separating medium, a conveyor mounted to move into and out of said tank, containers carried by said conveyor for immersing measured quantities of peas in said solution, means for admitting solution tosaid containers and means moving at right angles to the path of travel of said containers for isolating the groups of separated peas in said containers peas, means for placing measured charges ofA peas into said containers, means for admitting` solution into said containers with said peas, movable septums entering the lsaid containers to segregate the groups of peas separated by said solution whereby said groups may be independently discharged from said containers. Y

26. Anapparatus for segregating the diftering grades of peas'from a mass of mixed grades of peas by taking advantage of the difference in specificgravity of the different grades when immersed in a suitable separating medium,comprising a tank for containing a suitable separating solution, a conveyor moving into and out of said tank, a series of containers pivotally mountedl o n said conveyor, means for placing a measured quantity of peas into each container to be immersed in the solution in said tank, means for admitting solution to each container with the peas therein, means for cutting off the flow of solution into said containers while the separation of said diffrent grades of ypeas is taking place, means for isolating the separated groups of peas whereby each group may be independently discharged from said containers.

27. An apparatus for segregatin'g the differing grades of peas from 'a mass of mixed grades by taking advantage of the difference in specic gravity of the diterent grades when subjected to the action 0In a suitable solution, comprising a tank for containing a supply of solution, a conveyor moving into and out of said tank, containers pivotally connected with said conveyor for carrying measured quantities of mixed peas into and through said solution, whereby the different grades of peas will assume different locations according to their specific gravity, means carried by said conveyor for entering each of said containers and isolating the said groups of separated peas and means also carried by,

said conveyor for turning said containers on their pivots to thereby discharge the said separated groups of peas into separate chutes.

28. A container for a pea separating machine comprising a vessel having an open top and a perforated bottom, the open top for receiving a measured charge of mixed grades of peas and the perforated bottom for admitting a separatin solution to said container with the enclose peas, an auxiliary bottom for closing said perforatons to prevent further flow of solution therethrough after said container is supplied, a tank of solution in which to immerse said container while the contained peas are assuming a separated condition, a movable septum for entering said container and isolating the separated groups of peas whereby they may be independentl discharged with means for tilting thesaid contai-ner to eiiect the said discharge.

29. An apparatus for treating and handling vegetative products comprising a series of moving pockets, means for depositing a charge of mixed product into said pockets, means for containing a treating medium, means for moving said pockets into and out of said medium whereby the product entering said medium is in amixed mass and by contact with said treating medium is separated into groups of differing characteristics, then placing a septum between the separated groups while they are moving through said medium to maintain the separation and permit of independent discharge of said groups from said apparatus.

30. An apparatus for treating and hand-` ling food y products comprising a series of moving pockets each adapted to carry a charge of mixed product, means 'for containing a treating medium, means for moving the product charged pockets through said medium, whereby as the product passes through said medium thel same is separated into groups due to the difference in specific gravity of the mixed product, means within the path of said moving product for entering between the separated groups while they are moving through said medium to permit of their individual discharge from the apparatus.

i product is moving` through said separating medium for entering between the separated groups to thereby isolate the saine and maintain the separation after removal from said medium to permit of their separate discharge from the apparatus.

32. An apparatus for treating and han dling green peas for canning purposes comprising a. compartment for containing a mixed mass of peas, means for moving said compartment and mass of peas through a predetermined path, a container for holding separating solution through'vvhich said` Vin specific gravity of the diderent grades,

comprising a series of containers for receiving quantities of peas, means for successively moving said containers through a predetermined path, a container for holding a separating medium through Which said pea containers are moved, a division Wall for then entering between the separated peas Within the pea containers to maintain the separation after removal from said medium and separavte discharge points for the separate groups or peas.

,34a An apparatus for grading peas comprising a series of compartments each adapted'to contain a portion of a mixed massief peas, 'a container having therein a solution oi separating medium, means for successively moving the compartments containing the mined masses of peas into and out of said solution, immersion in said solution causing a separation or said mixed masses of peas into groups according to their diiiering charac'- teristics, means located relative to said separated groups oit peas to enter therebetween and isolate each group to maintain said separation after removal from said medium, with means'for then discharging each group at a diderent point from said apparatus.

35. .ein apparatus for separating. mixed grades ot peas by utilizing their di'ering speciiic gravity comprising a ltank of separating medium, an endless conveyor mounted Jorvpassage through said medium, pivoted containers carried by said conveyor, movable division Walls mounted to enter said contamers, means for turning said containers on their pivots to discharge material-therefrom, means forming a part of each container igor admitting medium thereto during immersion in said medium, other means for closing said admitting means with means along the path of said containers for performing the recited operations.

36. An apparatus for separating mixedV grades oi peas by utilizing their diering spe-- meaoee ciiic gravity comprising a tank of separating medium, a conveyor mounted for passage through said medium, a plurality of containers-carried by said conveyor, division Walls adapted to enter each container and divide it into separate compartments after it has entered the said medium and to maintain said separate compartments until the contents have been removed therefrom, means for then removing said division Walls and establishing the single compartment in said containers.

' 37. An apparatus for separating mixed grades of peas by utilizing their diiering specific gravity comprising a tank of separating medium, a conveyor mounted for passage through said medium, a plurality of separate containers carried by said conveyor and immersed in said medium, a division Wallmounted to enter each container as it is moved through said medium and temporarily convert it into a multi-compartment container and maintain said condition until the contents have been removed from the separate compartments, with means for supplying charges of mixed peas to said containers and means permitting thel separate discharge of the separated grades.

38. An apparatus for separating mixed grades of peas by utilizing their diiiering specic gravity comprising a tank of separating medium, a conveyor mounted for immersion in said medium, a plurality of single compartment containers forming a part o i" said conveyor and adapted for immersion in said medium, means for charging each container With a quantity oi miXed peas, means 4for entering said containers While they are, moving through said medium and temporarily converting them into multi-compartmented containers to isolate separated groups of peas therein and to maintain said condition until the separated groups are separately discharged from said containers.

39. An apparatus for treating vegetable products by utilizing their diiiering specific gravity comprising a tank of separating medium, a conveyor carrying a series ci single compartment containers and mounted tor movement through said tank of medium, means for charging each container With a quantity of product, a division Wall located to enter-each container during its movement through said medium and temporarily divide it intotvvo compartments and to maintain this condition until the peas in said compartment are separately discharged.

40. An apparatus for treating products for food purposes by utilizing their differing specic gravity comprising a tank of separating medium, a conveyor carrying a series of single compartment containers and mounted for movement through said tank of medium, means for entering each container While it is immersed in said medium and converting it into a multi-coinpartmeiited container to thereby isolate the separated groups of product in each container and to maintain said condition until the isolated groups of product have been separately discharged from each container, with means for charging each containerwith product when it is in single compartment condition.

41. An apparatus for taking mixed groups ot' articles and separating each into a plurality of groups comprising a separating medium to act on said articles through their differing specific gravity to cause them to assume different locations in said medium, a carrier having single compartment containers to receive groups of mixed articles and immerse them in said medium while in said containers in a manner permitting the group in each container to divide into separate groups according to their density, means for then entering each container and forming a division wall therein to divide the separate groups and thus hold them until they are separately discharged fromthe apparatus with means for charging each container with a group of mixed articles, while it is a single compartment container.

42. An apparatus for taking mixed groups of articles and separating each into a plurality of groups comprising a separating medium, a carrier, single compartment containers associated with said carrier, means for immersing said carrier and compartments in said medium, means for charging each compartment with a mixed group of articles before entering said medium, said medium acting on said articles to separate them into isolated groups, means immersed in said medium for entering said containers and forming a division wall therein to permanently divide the isolated roups therein and permit of their separate removal from said medium.

43. An apparatus for taking mixed groups of articles and separating each group into other groups comprising a carrier, single compartment containers associated with said carrier, a tank of separating medium, means for moving said carrier and containers from a higher to a lower level, means for charging each container with a roup of articles at the higher level, means or moving each con- 'tainer into said medium at a lower levelV wherein said medium will act on said articles to separate them into isolated groups within each container, means immersed in said medium for enterin each container and formingV ischarge therefrom afterl carrier, single compartmented containersassociated with said carrier, means on a level higher than said medium for charging each container with a group of mixed peas, means for moving said carrier and associated containers from said -h-igher level down into said or no difference exists, comprising a tank for containing a supply of separating medium. means for conveying a quantity of mixed grades of peas through the solution in said tank, means for heating the peas in the said `solution whereby certain grades are temporarily rendered more buoyant whereby they will assemble in separated groups, automatically ope-rated means for entering between said groups to render them capable of separate discharge from said conveying means, and associated means for operating said apparatus.

46. An apparatus for separating thistle buds from peas of the same graded size compriasing a tank for carrying a supply of solution of a predetermined specific gravity, means for carrying a quantity of mixed thistle buds and peas into and through said solution, the specific gravity of said solution being such that the thistle buds will fioat at or near the surface while the peas will sink to lower levels with automatic means forentering between the separated. groups to' permit of separate discharge from said carrying means.

47. A tank for containing a body of solution,A a frame work mounted on said tank, an endless conveyor mounted for continuous movement into and out of said tank, a feed hopper located above said conveyor, buckets pivoted to said conveyor and carried into and out of said solution by said conveyor, said buckets having open tops, perforated bottoms and an auxiliary bottom, septums carried by said buckets, stationary means along the path of travel for moving said septums into and out of said buckets, means along the upper run of said conveyor for dischargingy the contents from the bucket that are abov said septums and other means moving said septums to permit the discharge of the contents below said septums and separate means for receiving the separate discharges.

48. A tank for a solution,an endlessconlll veyor, pivoted buckets onsaid conveyor, a iced hopper', movable division walls carried by cach bucket, an auxiliary bottom for each bucket, a stationary member in said tank 'or closing said auxiliary bottoms after solution has entered the buckets, means along the upper run of said conveyor for turning each bucket on its pivot to discharge part of the contents, means for then permitting the discharge of the. balance of the contents, means for completing the turning of each bucket to bring it back to normal receiving position, means carried by each bucket and operable from stationary means for entering said buckets and separating the contents within said buckets while in said solution and means for timing the feeding of material to said buckets.

49. An apparatus forgrading peas comprising a solution tank, an endless conveyor, a feed hopper, pivoted buckets on said conveyor, a perforated bottom in each bucket, a cover for said bottom to cover said perforations, means for moving said conveyor continuously into and out of said solution, means in said solution for closing the cover over said perfor-ations after solution has entered the buckets, division walls carried by each.` bucket for separating the peas therein while 1mmersed, stationary means for operating said division walls, means connected withl the pivot of each bucket for turning said buckets to discharge the contents, stationary means for engaging the pivot means to turn sa1d buckets and give each bucket a complete turn over to empty first the contents above the division walls and then the contents below the division walls and replace the bucketsin normal receptive position for a new charge of neas. l 50. Anapparatusforgrading peas comprising a solution tank an endlessl conveyor,

' means vcarrying said conveyor to permit its lower run to be constantly immersed in said solution tank, buckets pivotally mounted on said conveyor, means for charging each bucket with a mass ot' mixed grades of peas, a perforated bottom in each bucket, an auxiliary cover for the' perforation in each bucket, means in said solution-to close said auxiliary covers after solution has entered each bucket, division means carried by each bucket to divide it into two compartments, means for operating said division means while the peas are immersed in the solution to separate the mass into two groups, means for turning the buckets on their pivots to discharge the contents above the division means, means for then removing the division means to permit discharge of the balance of the contents and separate means for receiving the separate discharges.

51. A method of separating the different grades of peas from a mass of mixed grades consisting in placing a charge of mixed grades c of peas into a compartment, moving said compartment into and through a solution adapted to cause a separation of the mass due to the difference in speciic gravity of the peas in the mass .wherein the lighter grades Will separate from the mass and float in the solution within the compartment, then while separated and still immersed in the solution automatically introducing a septum between the separated groups to permit of independent discharge of the groups when removed from the solution.

52. A. method of separating'the dilerent grades of peas from a mass of mixed grades consisting in placing a charge of mixed grades into a compartment, moving said compartment and peas through a suiliciently quiescent solution to permit a separation of the mass into separated groups due to the diierence Ain specitic gravity of the different peas constituting the mass wherein the lighter peas will oat in the solution within the compartment, then while so separated and still immersed in the solution automatically introducing a septum between the separated groups to permit of independent discharge of the groups when removed from the solution.

53. A method of separating the diiferent grades of peas from a mass of mixed grades consisting in placing charges of mixed grades in a series of compartments, immersing said compartments successively into a solution in a manner to produce a minimum of agitation so as to permit a separation ofthe mass into separated 4groups due to the difference in specic gravity of the peas constituting each charge wherein the lighter peas will iioat in the solution within each compartment, then while so separated and still immersed in thesolution automatically introducing a septum between the separated groups to permit of independent discharge of the groups when the compartments are removed from the solution.

54. A. method of separatin the diierent grades of peas from a mass o mixedgrades consisting in placing charges of mixed yin motion wherein the lighter peas in 'each charge will Heat while immersed and moving through said solution, then automatically introducing a septum between the separated groups to permit of independent removal and discharge after being taken from the solution. ln testimony whereof l affix my signature.

ClJRENCE H. PLUME. 

